The big story of the past seven days

✣World gripped by battle over Charlie Gard

What happened?

Pope Francis and Donald Trump drew the attention of the world’s media to 11-month-old Charlie Gard by offering their support for his parents.

Charlie’s parents, Connie Yates and Chris Gard, had challenged a decision by Great Ormond Street Hospital to withdraw his life support, instead wanting him to be sent for experimental treatment in the US, for which they had raised £1.3 million.

But British and European courts sided with the hospital.

What Catholics are saying

Charles Camosy, writing for Crux, argued that the decision amounted to euthanasia of a disabled baby. (Charlie has a rare genetic disease called mitochondrial depletion syndrome which means he cannot move, see or hear.) “His vulnerable life had been determined by powerful others to be unworthy to be lived,” Camosy wrote.

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